Over 2400 dogs for the AKC Eukanuba National Championship

The American Kennel Club and Eukanuba have announced that 2,444 dogs will compete for a total of $225,000 in cash prizes at the Seventh Annual AKC/Eukanuba National Championship on December 1 and 2, 2007 in Long Beach, California.


The show is held in conjunction with the AKC Agility Invitational and the AKC National Obedience Invitational (with entries of 470 and 95 respectively) making for a combined entry of nearly 3,000 dogs competing in the three events.

New to the show this year is the inaugural Eukanuba World Challenge. This international competition will feature top dogs from 40 countries and six continents. Rare breeds such as the Spanish Greyhound and the Azawakh will compete against more traditional favourites such as Poodles and Dalmatians for the title of “World Challenge Winner” and a total of $15,000.

‘The AKC/Eukanuba National Championship is a unique experience for any dog lover –whether they are watching it on TV or enjoying it in person,’ said Ron Menaker, Show Chairman. ‘With nearly 400,000 square feet of event space, 3,000 dogs in competition, dozens of vendors, 148 educational displays, numerous demonstrations and now 40 international competitors in our World Challenge event, there is nothing that can compare to this complete canine extravaganza.”
Invited to compete in the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship are:

*The country’s top 25 dogs (based on breed points) from each of the 169-AKC recognised breeds and varieties eligible to compete

* Every Best in Show winner from AKC all-breed shows held during the qualification period

* Reigning National Specialty winners

* Breeder/owner handled Champions from the Bred-by-Exhibitor and/or Puppy class

* International competitors from across the globe

The owner/s of the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship Best in Show winner will receive more than $50,000 while the breeder/s of the Best in Show winner is awarded $15,000.

Over 981 dogs representing nearly 43 percent of the total are entered in the “Bred-by Exhibitor” competition. The owner/breeder/handlers bring their best breeding stock to compete for cash prizes, including a $15,000 prize awarded for Best Bred-By-Exhibitor in Show.

In addition 159 youngsters, ages 9-18 years old, who have met high academic standards and qualification criteria based on year-round competition, will compete in Junior Showmanship.

The Long Beach Convention Center has long been the home to the Dog Hair & Egg Nog Cluster of dog shows held by local kennel clubs. These shows continue to be held in the three days prior to the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship with a combined entry of nearly 6,700 dogs.

AKC/EUKANUBA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP BY NUMBERS

A total of 156 AKC registered breeds are entered to compete. This includes:

33 Pugs
32 Australian Shepherds
27 Boston Terriers & 27 Basset Hounds
25 Parson Russell Terriers & 25 Borzoi
By group, entries total: Sporting – 322; Hound - 356; Working - 368; Terrier – 336; Toy - 350; Non-Sporting – 277 and Herding - 277.

187 International entries including Australia , Slovenia , Romania , Sweden , Ecuador and Israel (includes 38 of the World Challenge entrants who are also eligible to compete in the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship).
159 Junior Handlers

AGILITY AND OBEDIENCE INVITATIONALS BY NUMBERS

Agility - 470 total; 129 breeds from 41 states (plus Puerto Rico and Canada )
Obedience - 95 total; 30 breeds from 44 states (plus Canada )

visit www.akc.org

Photo by Alan V Walker
*UK entry Shocka, aka Am Ch Heatherhill Shock n Awe (Imp), who heads off the represent us in the Eukanuba World Challenge. Pictured here winning BIS at East of England last year, with owners C, P & d, j & R Allans, Richards and Harlow, handled by Angie Allan

Eukanuba has been informed by Mark Dunnachie that Magic - Ch Dvojica Voodoo JW, who was due to represent the UK at the inaugural Eukanuba World Challenge in California, has had an accident and will not be able to attend. Mark says "We are extremely disappointed that Magic will not be able to compete. We were looking forward to going to the event sadly however Magic will not be able to travel."

Replacing Magic will be the Top Winning Australian Shepherd Ch & Am Ch Heatherhill Shock N Awe (Shocka) co-owned by Robert Harlow and Neil & Angie Allan. Imported to the UK by co-owner Robert, Shocka, bred by Alan & Kathy McCorkle was born in California.

Honoured

Neil who will be travelling to the USA with Angie and Shocka says "We feel really sorry for Magic and are truly honoured to step into her paws. It’s a wonderful opportunity for us and we hope to fly the British Flag and do our country proud."

Shocka has 6CCs and many Best Of Breeds gained at shows where no CCs were on offer for the breed. He has won 6 x Group 1 in 2007 and multi group placing. He was the Top Winning Australian Shepherd in 2006 gaining him his invite to the Contest of Champions in 2007 where he was the ultimate winner.

Participating in the Eukanuba World Challenge 2007 will be 40 dogs from 40 different countries - one representative from the UK, one from USA, one from Canada and 37 from FCI member countries.

Top dogs from forty countries compete
 
The American Kennel Club and Eukanuba are pleased to announce the entrants in the inaugural Eukanuba World Challenge being held in conjunction with the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship in Long Beach, California on December 1-2, 2007.

The Eukanuba World Challenge is sponsored by Eukanuba with the co-operation of the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI). The participating countries include 37 FCI recognised registries in addition to the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States. 

 
The Eukanuba World Challenge entrants are:

Each of the participating countries selected its competing dog based on a ratings system of their choice, or selected a Best in Show winner from a prestigious show. For instance, the AKC has designated the winner of the previous year’s AKC/Eukanuba National Championship to represent the U.S. in the Eukanuba World Challenge.

The competitors in the Eukanuba World Challenge will be divided into three sections based on their geographic region: Europe and Africa, Asia and Oceania and the Americas. One dog will be selected from each of these three regions to compete in the Eukanuba World Challenge finals.

* These outstanding canines represent the finest in the world,” said Michael Canalizo, Director of AKC Event Management. “It is a pleasure to host them and be able to hold an event that demonstrates that across the globe, love and appreciation for dogs is a universal language.”


The Eukanuba World Challenge judges are:

* World Challenge Winner: Mr. Karl Reisinger - Austria

* Europe and Africa Section: Mr. Hiroshi Kamisato - Japan

* Asia and Oceania Section: Sr. Miguel Angel Martinez - Argentina

* Americas Section: Mr. Luis Miguel v. Pinto Teixeria - Portugal


The winner will be awarded the title of “Eukanuba World Challenge Winner” and $10,000. There is a $3,000 prize for the runner up and $2,000 for the first runner up.

Eukanuba World Challenge competitors which are also AKC recognized breeds may compete in the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship.

International entries who qualify will also be eligible for the Bred-by-Exhibitor competition.